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Utilization of Moringa ( Moringa oleifera) Leaves Meal As A None- Traditional Feedstuff on Productive Performance of Broiler Chicks.

Research Authors
MARIAM A. ELDEEB, N. M. ESSA, M. YOUNIS2 AND A.M. SALEH
Research Abstract

Abstract: The effects of feeding Moringa Oleifera leaves meal (MOLM) as a nontraditional feed on performance and immune response were studied in broiler chicks raised on floor litter from 1 till 5 weeks of age. A total of 144 Cobb strain broiler chicks were distributed into 3 treatments (48 chicks/ treatment) with 4 replicates per treatment and 12 chicks per pen. Dietary MOLM levels of 0, 2, and 4% were supplemented to a basal ration (control) containing 22.4% crude protein and 3100 Kcal/kg metabolizable energy so that the three diets were isocaloric and isonitrogenous and met the requirements of broilers for all essential nutrients. Results indicated that at 4 weeks of age, body weight of birds fed the 2% MOLM was numerically higher than those of both the control and 4% MOLM. At 5 weeks of age, however, the body weight of birds offered the 4% dietary MOLM, was lowered (P<.05) by 3.6 and 2.4% as compared to the control and 2% MOLM, respectively. The overall means of feed conversion values of all treatments were comparable (1.9). However, at 5 week-old the 4% MOLM recorded lower FCR (2.7) than (P<.01) both control and 2% MOLM (2.3 and 2.4, respectively). Protein conversion ratio values indicated that the chicks received 2% MOLM were superior (2.36) to the control 0.0% and 4% MOLM fed groups (2.53 and 2.81%, respectively). Performance index (PI) and production number (PN) showed no differences among all treatments. Lymphoid organs weight as (%) of body weight showed that bursa % in the group received 2% MOLM recorded the highest (P<.01) weight in comparison to the control and 4% (.189% vs. .105 and .112%, respectively) in response to dietary supplementation. The percentage of abdominal fat was numerically lower in 2% MOLM fed group and coincided with a decreased (P<.01) level of ether extract % in body composition analyses. In conclusion, MOLM could be incorporated at 2% in broiler diets for improving carcass quality, immune response and protein conversion ratio.

Research Department
Research Journal
4th. Mediterranean Poultry Summit of the Mediterranean Poultry Network of the WPSA. September 2-5, 2014, Beirut, Lebanon. (Abs.)
Research Member
Research Publisher
WPS
Research Rank
3
Research Vol
World’s Poultry Science Journal, Volume 70, (Supplement 1)
Research Website
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/265596707_4th_Mediterranean_Poultry_Summit_Of_the_Mediterranean_Poultry_Network_of_the_WPSA_Beirut_-_Lebanon_on_September_02_-_05_2014
Research Year
2014
Research Pages
10 pages